Extended driving can make us feel tired and sleepy. Driving without getting adequate rest also increases the risk of losing focus on the road, which increases the chances of an accident. With enough exhaustion, we can even momentarily fall asleep while driving – this phenomenon is called microsleeping.
What are Microsleeps?
This is an uncontrollable and brief lapse of conscientiousness – or a very, very short sleep. These episodes last between 10 seconds to 30 seconds. During this time, you are not in control of your car. There is the very real chance your car could swerve off the road and onto oncoming traffic.
Microsleeps happen when someone is trying to fight sleep. Eventually, your body shuts down as the urge to sleep is overpowering. If you’re feeling fatigued while driving, the best thing you can do is stop your car and find somewhere to rest or let someone else take over driving.
When you are struggling to stay awake you increase the chances of a car accident. So, how do you know if you are experiencing Microsleeps?
Signs of a Microsleeps
The following characteristics will help you understand if you are experiencing a microsleep episode.
- Loss of concentration
- Brief memory loss
- Missing the road signs, exits or red lights.
- Near misses or an accident
- Slumping over
- Dropping something you had in hand
- Hitting the rumble strip
In most cases, you will be aware of all these characteristics after waking up. However, microsleeps can be so brief that a driver may not realise that the above characteristics have occurred.
Causes of Microsleeps
The main cause of microsleeps is someone being deprived of sleep. Microsleeps are mostly experienced at night when drivers are trying to meet a deadline or reach a particular destination. They tend to push themselves to continue driving even when they are tired.
Another cause of microsleeps is sleep-related disorders. Conditions such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or circadian disorders can cause wakefulness, leading to eventual microsleeps, or constant drowsiness.
What are the Dangers of Microsleeps While Driving
Microsleeps can be harmless when they occur at home. However, they can be very dangerous and even deadly while driving.
Falling asleep while behind the wheel increases the risk of road accidents. The briefest microsleeps can result in catastrophic accidents which can cause severe injury or even death.
Prevention of Microsleeps
The most effective way to fight microsleeps is to get enough sleep. For adults, it is recommended to have a regular 7 to 8 hours of sleep every day. This will allow your body to relax and rebuild making it easy for you to drive safely. If you’re embarking on a long drive or road trip, ensure you have enough rest stops.
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